Teacher Certification Requirements

LIU Riverhead offers degree programs in education: B.S. and M.S. in Childhood Education (Grades 1 to 6), M.S. in Teaching Students with Disabilities (Grades 1 to 6 & 7 to 12), and the M.S. in Literacy (Birth to Grade 6), all of which lead to certification in New York State.

Requirements for teacher certification in New York includes successful completion of a bachelor's or master's degree; passing of certification tests (basic skills and subject-specific knowledge) and the edTPA; completing workshops in child abuse identification, violence prevention and Dignity for All Students Act (DASA); fingerprinting; field experience; and student teaching. Long Island University's undergraduate and graduate degrees programs are designed to prepare students to meet these certification requirements.

In their final semester, education majors at LIU Riverhead are eligible to apply for New York State certification through the New York State TEACH system www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach/. Upon completion of the degree and all other certification requirements, LIU Riverhead will recommend (institutional recommendation) the student for the applicable teacher certification.

LIU Riverhead prepares students for two levels of certification in New York State — Initial and Professional:

Initial Certification is the minimum certification required to teach in New York State. The entry-level certificate is valid for 5 years and is issued in a specific subject and/or grade level. Initial Certification leads to the Professional Certificate. After three years of professional teaching experience, mentored experience and an earned Master’s degree you can apply for the Professional Certificate to continue to be certified in New York State. All teacher-training bachelor's and master's programs at LIU at Riverhead lead to Initial Certification.

Professional Certification is required to continue teaching in New York State. This advanced-level certificate is continuously valid with completion of New York State-required professional development hours on a 5-year cycle.

Current LIU Riverhead students should contact the Education Program Office, 631-287-8214, for certification application instructions and requirements.

LIU Riverhead teacher education programs are nationally accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC). LIU Riverhead students who completed their program during the 2013-2014 academic year achieved an examination pass rate of 88%.

Requirements for New York State Certification (Institutional Recommendation)

B.S. in Childhood Education (Grades 1 to 6)

Completion of the approved degree program

Students must pass the following New York State Teacher Certification Examinations: -

In order to student teach or receive your New York State teaching certificate or apply for employment in a school district, charter school or boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES), New York State requires you to satisfy a Fingerprint Investigation for a criminal history background check. You must complete the fingerprinting process prior to student teaching. Visit the "Fingerprinting" section of the New York State Education Department Web site for more information and directions on how to apply.

M.S. in Childhood Education (Grades 1 to 6)

Completion of the approved degree program

Students must pass the following New York State Teacher Certification Examinations:

In order to student teach or receive your New York State teaching certificate or apply for employment in a school district, charter school or boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES), New York State requires you to satisfy a Fingerprint Investigation for a criminal history background check. You must complete the fingerprinting process prior to student teaching. Visit the "Fingerprinting" section of the New York State Education Department Web site for more information and directions on how to apply.

M.S. in Teaching Students with Disabilities Education (Grades 1 to 6)

M.S. in Teaching Students with Disabilities Generalist (Grades 7 to 12)

Completion of approved degree program

Completion of 6 qualifying semester hours in each of the following areas: English/Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. Most or all of these courses are completed at the Bachelor's degree level before the student enters LIU Riverhead.